Suction nozzle



,May 23, 193g. 1. F, R KARLSTRM 2,159,164

SUCTIION NOZZLE Filed Dec. 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l I a ATTORNEY.

May 23, 1939- J, F. R. KARLSTRM 2,159,164

SUGTION NOZZLE Filed Dec. 19, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES.

vPATENT oFFl- CE SUCTION NOZZLE Application December 19, 1935, Serial No. 55,147 In Germany December 24, 1934 13 Claims.

My invention relates to suction nozzles and more particularly, to suction nozzles of the type providedv with an agitator or beater member. Still more particularly, my invention relates to nozzles of the kind in which operation of the agitator is caused by the air flow through the nozzle.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a nozzle of this type in which the agitator l0 in no manner interferes with the flow of the cleaning air through the nozzle,A which flow may, consequently, be continuous 'and non-interrupted.

Another object of my invention is to provide a nozzle in which a substantially large force is available for operating the agitator.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a nozzle having a suction inlet and an outlet adapted to be connected to a source of suction. This inlet and outlet are permanently in uninterrupted communication with each other. An agitator is movably mounted within the nozzle and connected to an operating member therefor which is continuously subjectedl on one side to a substantially constant pressure while the other side of the operating member is alternately subjected to the low pressure of the suction source and. to atmospheric pressure. This operating member may conveniently be a flexible diaphragm, although a piston working in a cylinder could be employed. In order to subject the oper- -ating member to the different pressures, I provide a valve arrangement which, in one position, connects one side of the operating member to the atmosphere and in another position, connects this side of the operating member to the source of suction. In the present application, I have l disclosed three more or less specific arrangements for actuating this valve. In the rst, a rotary valve is actuated by means of a wheel which is caused to rotate by movement of the nozzle over a surface. In the second, a rotary valve is actuated by means of a small air driven turbine which is caused to rotate by an auxiliary stream of' air drawn into they nozzle. In the third embodiment, reciprocating valves are operated by movement of the agitator member itself.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparentv from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and of which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of my invention and is taken on the Aline I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a valve shown in Fig. 1, but in a different position;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another em- 5 bodiment of my invention and is taken on the line- 4-4 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top view of a 'portion of the device 1 shown in Figs.' 4 and 5;

Fig. 'I is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of my invention and is taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the u line s-s of Fig. '1.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 through 3, reference character III designates a hollow body including a lower hollow member I I and an upper hollow member I2. Lower member II is 2 formed with al suction inlet opening I3 and an outlet opening I4. A handle member I5 is pivotally secured to member II so that the interior of the handle member is always in communication with outlet Il. Handle member I5 is adapted to receive a tubular member I6 which may be connected by means of a ilexible hose I1 with a vacuum cleaner unit I8 which constitutes a source of suction. A

Clamped between lower member II and upper 30 memberIZ is a exible diaphragm I9, the more central portion of which is movable and is secured to an agitator member 2li. Agitator 2II may be 'l' shaped inl cross-section, the stem 2I of the T being arranged adjacent'to opening l5 I3. The arms 22 of the T are secured to the diaphragm I9 with the aid of a plate 23 secured to the agitator by means of a.bolt'24, the diaphragm being clamped between the arms 22 and the plate 23.

Diaphragm I9 .thus divides the interior ot hollow member I0 intoa lower chamber 25 and an upper chamber 2B. Lower chamber 25 is continuously in communication with outlet Il and hence, always subjected to the low pressure produced by the source of suction. Within upper chamber 26, there is formed a valve housing 21 within which is rotatably mounted a valve member 28, formed with a passage 29 therethrough. 50 An opening 30 in the `upper part of member I2 establishes communication between the atmosphere and the interior of valve housing 21, while a passage 3| establishes communication between the valve housing and outlet Il. Openings 32 55 with space 26. Y

Rotatably mounted at either end of the hollow member I9 are wheels 34 which are adapted to roll on the surface being cleaned, such as a carpet. These wheels are preferably provided with rubber treads 35 which frictionally engage smaller wheels 35 mounted on shafts 31 extending from each wheel 35 to the adjacent end voil rotary valve member 28. Spacer sleeves 33 may be provided around the portions of shafts 31 be.

tween the wheels 36 and the valve 29 and these sleeves may be iixed against axial movement,

thereby preventing axial movement of the wheels v 36, shafts 31, and valve 29.

Coil springs 39 extend in a substantially horizontal direction between the vertical walls of member I I and the stem portion2| of the .agitator and may be convenientlyV located ,v adjacent to either end of the agitator. l

'I'he operation of the above described device is as follows: l

With the parts in the positions shown in Fig.

1, the reduced pressure produced by the vacuum cleaner unit I8 is communicated through hose I1,

- tubular member I9, handle member Il, and outlet passage I4 to the space 25 in the hollow member I0. This causes flow of air through inlet opening I3, and the air entrains dust particles and other dirt present on or in the surface being cleaned. This low pressure also acts on the underside of the flexible diaphragm I9. However, withthe valve member 2l in the position shown in Fig. 1, this low pressure also acts upon the upper side of the diaphragm through the passage 3|, the passage 29 in the valve member, and the opening 32 in the valve housing. Gonsequently, the pressures on both sides of the diaphragm are balanced and there is no tendency for the diaphragm to move. However, if the nozzle is moved over the floor, wheels 35 are caused to 'rotateA and their rotation is transmitted through wheels 36 and shafts 31 to valve member 29 which is turned to the position shown in Fig. 3. In this position, the 'upper side of the diaphragm is subjected to atmospheric pressure `by virtue of the communication established through opening 30, passage 29, and opening 33. Inasmuch' as the pressure acting on the lower side of the diaphragm has` not been altered, there results an unbalanee in the pressures acting on the diaphragm and the higher atmospheric pressure acting in upper chamber 26 causes the diaphragm to move downwardly against the resistance offered by the springs 39. The agitator 20 is moved downward by this movement of the ydiaphragm and the lower edge of the stem 2| strikes the surface being cleaned and dislodges dirt adhering thereto, which dirt is picked up by the air stream entering through inlet opening i3. As soon as further rotation of the valve member causes it to return to the position shown in Fig. 1, or rather to a. position at a 180 degrees therefrom, communication betweenthe atmosphere and chamber 26 is interrupted while communicationv is again` established between this chamber and the outlet passage I4. This causes the pressures on both sides of the diaphragm to again become balanced and the springs 39, which were stressed by the preceding downward movementofthe agitator, now serve to return the agitator and the diaphragm to the position shown in Fig. l.

Any desired speed of rotationl of the valve tors.

' of the wheels 35. That is to say, the smaller the diameter of wheels 36, the faster' will be the rotation of valve member 29 for a given linear speed of the nozzle over the floor. In the embodiment shown, wheels 36 are of a small diameter and hence the valve member is rotated rapidly and, inasmuch as the diaphragm moves through two complete cycles for each rotation of the valve, the result is that the diaphragm and the agitator attached thereto are reciprocated rapidly whenever the nozzle is moved either backwards or forwards at a normal speed.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 through 6, the valve member 40, which corresponds to valve member 28 in the first-embodiment, is rotated by means of a pair of turbinerotors 4I secured at either end of the valve member. A plurality of inclined passages 42 admit atmospheric air to the rotors and guide the flow of air so that it strikes turbine blades 4Ia to cause rotation oi the ro- The air discharged from lthe rotors 4|l flows through passages 42a, one of which is clearly shown in Fig. 6, to the passage 43 which leads .to the outlet I4.

' Flexible diaphragm I9- separates the interior lof hollow member I9 into the upper chamber 2i and the lower chamber 25. An agitator member .44 is secured to the movable portion of dia.- phragm I9 and is suspended by a plurality of coil -springs 45. Springs 45 perform thesame func- 'tion of the valve member 43. The air discharged from the rotors flows through passage 42a to the A outlet I4. Rotation of valve member 40 alternately connects the space 25 with the atmosphere and with outlet I4, in the same manner as dephragm causes it to be reciprocated rapidly in a vertical direction.. As before explained, at-

mospheric pressure acting on .the upper side' ofthe diaphragm moves it downwardly, thus stressing springs 45, and when the pressures on both sides of the diaphragm are equalized, these springs contract to move the diaphragm and the agitator member 44 attached thereto in an upwardly direction.

It 'will be seen that the speed of vibration of theagitator member in this embodiment of my invention is independent of the speed of motion. of the nozzle over the surface undergoing cleaning.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the hollow member i0 is divided into -a lower compartment 25 and an upper compartment 26 by exible diaphragm I9 to which is attached an agitator member 50. Agitator 50 is supported in the position shown'in Fig. 7 by means of a plurality of coil springs 5|-, the upper ends of which are connected to the top portion 52 of the hollow member. Top portion 52 is provided with one or moreopenings 53 communicating with the atmosphere and with an opening 5t which. communicates with outlet opening I3. A bridge member 55 carries a valve member 56 for regulating ilow through opening 54 and valve members 51 for regulating flow through openings 53. Bridge 54 is secured to a reciprocally supported pin 58 and is connected to agitator member 50 by means of a coil spring 59. Guards $0 formed with apertures therethrough may be provided for covering openings 53 and enclosing valve members 51.

This embodiment of my invention operates as follows:

The parts in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the upper chamber 26 is in communication with the atmosphere through openings 53 and the openings in guards 60. Consequently, atmospheric pressure acts on the upper side of the diaphragm. When the pressure is reduced in outlet I4 and consequently in lower chamber 25, the atmospheric pressure forces the diaphragm and agitator downwardly against the action of springs 5I. This movement also stresses spring,59 and tends to cause the bridge member 54 and the valves carried thereby to move downwardly. However, at rst, the bridge does not move due to the fact that atmospheric pressure is acting against the lower face of valve member 56 while a reduced pressure is acting against the upper face. However, continueddownward movement of the diaphragm and agitator stresses spring 59 suiciently so that the force tending to hold valve member 58 closed is overcome and the bridge member moves downwardly, thus establishing communication between upper chamber 26 and outlet I4 through opening 54, while valve members51 close openings 53, thus cutting oiI communication with the atmosphere.- The upper and lower sides oi' diaphragm I9 are hence subjected to the same low pressure and the springs 5I move the vdiaphragm upwardly. `Bridge 54 does not follow immediately, due to the unbalanced pressures acting on valve members 51, but-'the bridge is moved upwardly whenl spring 59 hasbeen stressed suiciently to overcome the difference between atmospheric and the lower pressure acting on the opposite sides of valve members 51. The result is that the diaphragm and the agitator attached thereto are reciprocated rapidly and, again in this case, the period of reciprocation is independent of the speed of movement of the nozzle over the floor.

It will be seen that inall embodiments, the` passage from the suction inlet opening I3 through the nozzle to the outlet I4 is continuously open and unimpeded by the agitator or the mechanism for operating it.

It will be noted that in all embodiments, and more especially in those shown in Figs. 4 through 8, the pivotal connection of member I5 to member II is so located that if the center line of tubular member I6 is prolonged downwardly it intersects the iloor behind the center line of the inlet opening if the tubular member is inclined approximately 40 degrees or more from the iloor. Thus, when the nozzle is moved back and forth, that is pushed and pulled by the tubular member, the line of force applied to the tubular member intersects the iloor behind the center line of the inlet open- 'ing. This results in the rear lip of the nozzle being pressed against the floor harder than the forward lip during forward movement of the nozzle when it is' being pushed by the tubular member. 0n the other hand, when the nozzle is lb'eing pulled backward by the tubular member,

, there is a tendency for the rear lip to be raised more than the front one. In other words, whichever lip is leading bears against the oor with less fiorce than the trailing lip.

Whenever a nozzle is operated on a rug or other ilexible iloor covering the latter tends to be pushed up in the form of a wave by the leading lip. However, due to the fact that the leading lip in the present nozzle bears but lightly against the rug, it will pass thereover without pushing up a wave in the rug. This results in an easier gliding of the nozzle over the rug. Furthermore, the trailing lip, which bears against the rug with more force than the leading lip, does tend to give the rug a wave form, but this wave occurs within the nozzle opening where it aids in promoting ilow of air through the material of the rug by lifting the rug slightly away from the solid oor.

While I have 'shown and described three more or less specific embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that this has been done for purposes of illustration only and my invention is not to be limited thereby, but its scope is to be determined Aby the appended claims viewed in the light of the prior art.

What I claim is:

1. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member having an inlet opening and an opening 'adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator movably mounted within said hollow member, means for reciprocating said agitator including a reciprocable member, means for mounting said reciprocable member in said hollow member so that opposite sides of said reciprocable member maybe subjected to substantially diierent pressures, one side being continuously subjected to a substantially constant pressure, and means for subjecting the other side of said reciprocable member alternately to atmospheric pressure and to the low pressure created by said source of suction.

2. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member having an inlet opening and an opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, an agitator movably mounted within sai'd hollow member, means for reciprocating said agitator including a reciprocable member,.means for mounting said reciprocable member in said hollow member so that opposite sides of said reciprocable member may be subjected to substantially different pressures, one side being continuously subjected to the substantially constant low pressure created by said source of suction, and means for subjecting the other side of said reciprocable member alternately to atmospheric pressure and to said low pressure. h I 3. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member having an inlet opening and an opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a flexible diaphragm mounted within said member so that opposite sides of said dipah'agm may be subjected to substantially different pressures, an agitator connected to a movable portion of said diaphragm, one side of said diaphragm being uninterruptedly subjected to a substantially constant pressure, andl means for subjecting the other side of said diaphragm alternately to atmospheric pressure and to the low pressure created by said source of suction.

4. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member having an .inlet opening and an opening adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a flexible diaphragm mounted within said member so that opposite sides of said diaphragm may be subjected to substantially dierent pressures, an agltator connected to a movable portion of said diaphragm, one side of said diaphragm being uninterruptedly subjected to the substantially constant low pressure created by saidsource of suction and means for subjecting the other side o! said member alternately to atmospheric pressure and to said low pressure.

5. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member, a movable diaphragm dividing the space within said member into a iirst chamber and a second chamber, said member being formed with a suction inlet opening andan outlet opening both communicating with said iirst chamber, means for connecting saidv outlet opening to a source of suction, an agitatorv operable by said dia-` phragm, and means for alternately connecting said second chamber to the atmosphere while isolating it from said source of suction and connecting it to said source of suction while isolating it from the atmosphere.

6. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member, a diaphragm having a movable central portion and dividingv the space within said member into a first chamber and a second chamber, an agitator connected to said movable portion, said hollow member being formed with a suction inlet opening andan outlet opening both communicating with said i'lrst chamber, means for connecting said outlet opening to a source of suction, means for alternately connecting said second chamber to the atmosphere while isolating it from said l source of suction and connecting it to said source of suction while isolating it from the atmosphere whereby said diaphragm and agitator are moved in one direction due to pressure variations, and resilient means for resisting movement inV said direction and causing movement in the opposite direction. Y

7. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member, a

- movable diaphragm dividing the space within said member into a iirst chamber and a second v chamber, said member being formed with a suetionv inlet opening and an outlet opening both communicating with said iirst chamber, ,means for connecting said outlet opening to a source o fsuction, an agitator operable by said diaphragm, a rotary valve for alternately connecting said second chamber to the atmosphere and to said source of suction, and means for rotating said rotary valve.

8. A device as claimed in claim 'I including a wheel rotatable by movement of the nozzle over a surface to be cleaned for rotating'said rotary valve.

9. A device as claimed in claim 'l including a turbine rotor rotatable by ilow of air produced by the source of suction for rotating said rotary valve.

10. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member, a movable diaphragm dividing the spacewithin said member into a iirst chamber and a second chamber, said member being formed with a suction inlet opening and an outlet opening both communicating with said nrst chamber, means anuales for connecting said outlet opening to a source of suction, an agitatorv operable by saidv diaphragm, and valve means for alternately -connecting said second chamber to the atmosphere and to said source-of suction, said valve means being operable in response to movement of said diaphragm.

11. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member, a movable diaphragm dividing the space' within said member into a iirst Achamber and a second chamber, said member being formed with a suction inletopening and an outlet opening both communicating with said iirst chamber, means for connecting said outlet opening to a source lof suction, an. agitator operable by said diaphragm, a valve for controlling communication between said second chamber and said source of suction, a valve-for controlling communication between said second chamber and the atmosphere, and means for operating both of said valves simultaneously so that when one valve-is open, the other is closed.

12. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member,.a movable diaphragm dividing the space within said member into a first chamber and a second chamber, said member being formed with a suc-- tion inlet opening and an outlet opening both communicating-with said iirst chamber, means for connecting said outlet opening to a source of suction, an agitator operable by said diaphragm, a valve for controlling communication between said second chamber and said source of suction, a valve for controlling communication between said second chamber and the atmosphere, said valves being connected for simultaneous operation so that when one valve is open, the other is closed, and means for operating said valves by movement of said diaphragm.

13. In a suction nozzle, a hollow member, a movable diaphragm dividing the space within said member into a first chamber and a secondv chamber, said member being formed with a suction inlet opening and an outlet opening both communicating with said iirst chamber, means for connecting said outlet opening to a source of suction, an agitator operable by said diaphragm, a valve for controlling communication between said second chamber and -said source of suction, a valve for controlling communication between said second chamber and the atmosphere, a rigid member connecting said valves for simultaneous operation so that when one valve is open, the other is closed, and resilient meansy connecting said rigid member with ,said diaphragm for transmitting movement of said diaphragm to said rigid member to operate said valves, said resilient means causing the movement of said rigid member toy lag behind that of said diaphragm.

JOHAN FREDRIK ROBERT KARLSTRM. 

